CO₂Carbon dioxide
Keep it sparkling
For beer, Aperol Spritz, Hugo, Gin & Tonic and other carbonated drinks.
- Preparation
- Do not shake
- Serve
- 7–10 PSI
iKegger Gas Guide | Aperol, Cocktails, Nitro & Beer
iKegger 2.0 · Gas & pressure guide
The right gas.
The right pour.
Not every drink needs the same gas. This guide helps you choose the right option for your iKegger Mini Keg and achieve the finish you want.
Use CO₂ for already carbonated drinks such as Aperol Spritz, Hugo, Gin & Tonic and beer. Choose N₂O for a quick, creamy finish in Pornstar Martini, or pure N₂ for the finest texture and most stable nitro cascade in Espresso Martini and nitro coffee.
Choose a gas to jump directly to the relevant guide:
Start here
Three gases.
Three clear methods.
First choose the result you want. The gas determines whether your drink stays sparkling, develops a quick creamy head or gets a fine nitro cascade.
N₂ONitrous oxide
Creamy without the long wait
For Espresso Martini, Pornstar Martini, nitro coffee and shaken-style drinks.
- Preparation
- Infuse at 45 PSI
- Serve
- 20–25 PSI
N₂Pure nitrogen
The best nitro result
For the finest texture, a stable head and the most pronounced cascade.
- Preparation
- Infuse at 45 PSI
- Serve
- 20–25 PSI
CO₂ · Carbonated drinks
Cold. Calm.
7–10 PSI.
The liquid path to the iKegger 2.0 tap is short. Carbonated drinks therefore need only 7–10 PSI to pour cleanly. Too much pressure makes the drink flow too quickly and creates excessive foam.
Use CO₂ for drinks that are already carbonated.
It maintains their carbonation and supplies the pressure needed for a clean pour.
BeerAperol SpritzHugoGin & TonicSparkling Pornstar Martini
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1
Chill before filling
Pre-chill the drink and keg. Pour carbonated ingredients gently into the keg.
-
2
Connect with the regulator off
Turn the regulator fully anticlockwise before fitting the CO₂ cartridge or connecting it to the keg.
-
3
Start at 7 PSI
Increase the pressure only if the drink pours too slowly. Do not exceed 10 PSI for normal serving.
-
4
Keep the keg still
Never shake a carbonated drink. After carrying or transporting the keg, allow it to settle before pouring.
Too much foam?
Turn the regulator fully off, pull the pressure relief valve briefly and carefully, then let the keg rest. Start again at 7 PSI.
N₂O or N₂?
Quick, creamy foam.
Or a fine nitro cascade.
Both gases create texture without carbonating the drink. N₂O is the faster option. Pure N₂ needs more preparation but produces the finest and most stable result.
Shared preparation
Cold drink.
Space for gas.
The first three steps are the same for N₂O and pure N₂.
1
Pre-chill everythingChill both the drink and the keg before filling.
2
Leave 0.5–1L headspaceThe free space allows the gas to enter the keg and contact the drink.
3
Start with the regulator offTurn it fully anticlockwise before inserting a gas bulb.
Fast and creamy
N₂O · Nitrous oxide
Food-grade N₂O dissolves readily and produces a dense, velvety head with a silky mouthfeel.
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1
Infuse at 45 PSIInsert a 7.5g N₂O bulb, increase to 45 PSI and shake firmly for 20–30 seconds.
-
2
Serve now or wait 30 minutesImmediate use is possible. A cold 30-minute rest gives a better result.
-
3
Serve at 20–25 PSIIf the drink shoots from the tap, reduce the pressure and press the tap more gently.
One 7.5g bulbTypically infuses and dispenses approximately 1.5–2.5 litres, depending on the recipe and headspace.
N₂O bulbs are supplied in limited quantities to existing customers who own an iKegger nitro coffee or cocktail keg package.
View N₂O cream chargersBest nitro result
N₂ · Pure nitrogen
Pure N₂ takes longer to integrate into the drink. The extra preparation produces a finer texture, a more stable head and the strongest cascade.
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1
Infuse at 45 PSIInsert a 2g N₂ bulb, increase to 45 PSI and shake the gas firmly into the drink.
-
2
Give it timeKeep the keg cold under pressure for several hours. For the best result, prepare it the day before.
-
3
Serve at 20–25 PSIFit a second N₂ bulb if the first one was used during infusion and more gas is needed to pour.
A second bulb may be neededThe first 2g N₂ bulb can be consumed while pressurising the headspace and infusing the drink. Fit a fresh bulb if more gas is required for serving.
View pure N₂ bulbs
The iKegger difference
Pressure you can actually control.
Other mini-keg systems commonly use direct cartridge injection, fixed pressure or only a few preset levels. The iKegger 2.0 Multi-Gas Mini Regulator lets you set and adjust the pressure precisely for preparation, storage and serving.
Increase graduallyUse only the pressure required for a controlled pour.
Control the flowPress the push-button tap gently for cocktails and creamy nitro drinks.
Always switch off firstTurn the regulator fully anticlockwise before fitting or removing a gas cartridge and before connecting or disconnecting it from a pressurised keg.
Regulator essentials
Set it correctly.
Keep it stable.
These points apply whenever the regulator remains connected to your iKegger Mini Keg.
Should I leave the regulator connected?
Yes. You can leave the regulator connected and turned on. It adds gas only when the pressure drops, which normally happens when you pour from the keg. Leaving it connected keeps the serving pressure stable. Disconnecting it does not normally save gas unless the system has a leak.
Why can the gauge differ from the pressure inside the keg?
If a check valve is installed, the gauge shows the pressure between the regulator and the valve rather than necessarily showing the current pressure inside the keg. Pressure that rises inside a warming keg cannot flow back through the check valve to update the gauge.
When should I use a check valve?
Use a check valve when liquid could reach the regulator, especially when the keg is lying down. When setting pressure with a check valve installed, remember that the gauge may not reflect every pressure change inside the keg immediately.
Where can I learn about force carbonation?
This page covers gas selection, drink preparation and serving. For carbonating a still drink, pressure fermentation and homebrewing, use the separate carbonation and pressure brewing guide.